I'll throw my two cents in as well... We have a 2006 Z71 Tahoe with the 5.3L in it. Previous to that we had a Denali with the 6.0L... the 5.3 pulls just as well as the 6.0, and there is a marginal difference in fuel mileage. I have several buddies that pull with Fords, and after riding/driving them, I am glad that we have the Chev... good luck with your search.

I have an 04 Chevy Sub 4x4 with the 5.3L in it. It does a gret job at towing. We bought it new and have about 55k on it. I have now towed my X2 across the country four times. That is four road trips at 1500 miles each. Included in that is the continental divide and some serious mountain passes. My boat is about 5000 lbs plus a loaded down suburban and no problems at all.

Next vehicle will probably be a Tahoe as the suburban is big!! I even have two young kids but still thinking of downsizing. Would definately get the bigger motor.

My .02 is that it's possible to drive a 5.3L motor easy and not strain it, or more importantly the transmission, when you're loaded with full vehicle including gas, family, friends, equipment and a boat wit a tank of gas etc ... as opposed to having the smaller motor and wanting or needing to really get into the throttle and gears.

My '01 has 154k and I tow all the time. Of course I'm fairly good about maintaining. The only other recommendation is that if you're buying used, check the tranny fluid. If it smells burned then it's only a matter of time.

Get another Ford.....then you don't have to get a cool flame paint job.

Sorry

__________________
Sometimes when I reflect on all the beer I drink, I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered.
-- Babe Ruth

I'm kinda in the same situation - not a fire on my Explorer, but at 140K, everything has started falling apart. It's time.

I was hoping someone would comment on the 2WD/4WD issue. Any problems pulling your boat out with a 2WD Suburban? I've seen enough 2WD pickups burning rubber that I'm a bit shy of that in a boat hauler, but I'm wondering if the Suburban is heavy enough that it's not an issue?